Cigarette smoke condensate exposure delays follicular development and function in a stage-dependent manner

Objective: To determine the effects of cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) on follicular development and function from the early preantral stage through ovulation. Design: Prospective laboratory study. Setting: Academic research environment. Animal(s): Female F1 hybrid (C57BL/6j x CBA/Ca) mice. Intervention(s): Mouse early preantral follicles (100-130 mu m) were exposed to increasing concentrations of CSC (0 mu g/mL [control] to 130 mu g/mL) during in vitro growth and ovulation. Main Outcome Measure(s): Follicular development, follicle survival, gonadal steroid output, expansion of the cumulus-oocyte complex, oocyte growth, and maturation. Result(s): Cigarette smoke condensate exposure significantly inhibited follicular development in the preantral and antral stage and decreased follicle survival at 90 mu g CSC/mL and higher. Estradiol output was significantly lower in CSC-exposed (90 and 130 mu g/mL) follicles. Before ovulation, CSC significantly increased P output, which decreased thereafter. Cigarette smoke condensate exposure reduced cumulus-oocyte complex expansion and subsequently reduced the number of polar body oocytes. Conclusion(s): Cigarette smoke condensate exposure inhibits follicle development and leads to premature luteinization of the preovulatory follicle, with decreased oocyte maturation in a mouse isolated follicle culture system that mimics murine folliculogenesis in vivo. (Fertil Steril (R) 2011; 95: 2410-7. (C) 2011 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)